by Jason Snell
Report: Full cursor support coming to iPadOS 14
Benjamin Mayo reporting for 9to5Mac:
According to code seen by 9to5Mac, Apple is set to roll out rich system-wide support for mouse cursors with iOS 14… This includes support for multiple pointers depending on what is being hovered over, like switching from a standard arrow pointer to a pointing hand when hovering over links. It is possible these APIs could then automatically translate over to Mac apps using Catalyst, which currently lacks an API for changing mouse cursor type.
As with the addition of the Apple Pencil, some people will decry the addition of proper pointing-device support to iPadOS as a dilution of the core iPad interface.
But the introduction of the Pencil and Smart Keyboard in late 2015 did nothing to dilute the iPad interface. Rather, they provided alternatives for those who wanted to use them. At no point do I sit with my iPad and say to myself, “Wow, I’d like to do this but this app requires a keyboard”1 or “It’s a shame the Apple Pencil isn’t handy, because I’m stuck.” It just never happens. These new methods of controlling the iPad interface are additive. If you never use a mouse or a trackpad or a keyboard or a pencil, you should never notice a difference.
I’m very excited about the prospect of Apple going all-in on cursor support in iPadOS 14. It opens the door for real external monitor support, the possibility of large-screen Surface Studio type devices powered by iPadOS, and a lot more.
- There’s one exception: Luna Display, which is not really intended to be used the way I’m using it. But still, it should offer a software keyboard, like its competitor Screens does. ↩